ED raid: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Dec 20: On Friday, officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive raids on the residence of senior Congress leader and former Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik in Bhubaneswar. The operation began around 7 am, with an 8-10 member team of ED officials searching his house in the Nayapalli area. Additional raids were reported at another location in the state capital and at a property in Rourkela.
Sources suggest that the raids are likely related to the mining business associated with Patnaik’s family. Notably, his brother, Dipti Ranjan Patnaik, owns Indrani Patnaik Mines, which has come under scrutiny. The ED’s investigation appears to focus on potential irregularities or illicit activities linked to the family’s mining operations.
As the raids continue, no official statements have been released by either the ED or Niranjan Patnaik, leaving many questions about the implications of these searches. The situation has drawn attention, as it highlights ongoing concerns about mining practices and regulatory compliance within the state, especially regarding influential political figures.
